As an esthetician, I commonly hear clients refer to their skin as "sensitive". From the client's perspective this can mean a range of things from easily being burned by the sun to experiencing redness after using certain products. The truth is that "sensitive skin" is not a skin type but more of a skin condition. This means that people with any skin type (oily, dry, normal, mature/aging, couperose, or combination) can develop "sensitized" skin depending on which ingredients have come into contact with their skin and the resulting reaction.
Those with "sensitive" skin often reach for products labeled "hypoallergenic". Simply because a hypoallergenic product is labeled as such, does not mean that the product is harmless and will not cause a reaction. Unfortunately, manufacturers are not required to submit any testing information to the FDA to substantiate their use of the term. However, hypoallergenic products claim to produce fewer allergic reactions than other cosmetic products.
Do you know what causes the most skin-based allergic reactions? Believe it or not, its artificial fragrance. So this means that when manufacturers list their products as hypoallergenic, most times they have simply removed the artificial fragrance.
And if you are one of those "sensitive" skin gals, try choosing products without artificial fragrance (listed as "fragrance" on most labels) and dyes if possible. You may find this more beneficial to your skin than over-priced "hypoallergenic" products!
======================================================================================
Copyright 2007. All Rights Reserved.
Monique Eddleton, "The Great Skin Guru", has nearly 10 years of experience in the beauty and wellness industry. Monique is a Licensed Esthetician and make-up artist, wellness coach, and sought-after expert of all things beauty related. If you want to know the estheticians’ secrets to great, glowing skin, get your free skin care tips are www.realbeauty101.com.
Thanks for sharing this post and the info that you've shared. I enjoyed reading it and I think other reader other readers might enjoy reading it as well.
Posted by: dermatology emr | October 05, 2010 at 01:57 AM